Sunday, July 4, 2010
Shire Eco Lodge - Stutterheim
This is definitely worth a blog. I'm not really into eco places, or log houses for that matter, but the Shire Eco Lodge in Stutterheim, in the Eastern Cape (just off the N7), is definitely worth a visit, if you need a stop over between Gauteng and East London. So much attention to detail and thought have been put into these little 'pods' that I'm adding their website for you to check out, so you can see for yourself. And at only R450 per night, per pod, it is not going to break the bank either. Our kids loved these places and because the 'pods' are close to each other, you could quite easily book your children into their very own pod. I've just realised I still haven't paid for my accommodation which says a lot about how trusting the owners are. Will get onto this immediately!!!! One tip if you are ever in Stutterheim and stocking up on groceries. There are two Spar grocery stores, almost next to each other, and they are worlds apart. When we found the nice one the next morning (too late she cried!) it had the most amazing fresh choice of groceries. Check out the Shire Eco Lodge - http://www.shire.co.za/
On the road to the Grahamstown Festival
Destination was the Grahamstown Festival, which we'd fortunately booked accommodation for. However, where we were staying getting to and from the festival was another story. I had to go to a couple of places to delivery and collect stock, so this dictated the trip a bit. Anyway we found some interesting places which, if you are ever in remote areas of the Free State or the Eastern Cape, you might like to think of staying at.
Our first was a unique little hide away in the middle of no where, a 200 year old stone 'Kraal', we found in a place just outside Rouville in the Eastern Cape called Iniklofie Lodge. Our accommodation consisted of a little stone cottage to sleep in, a separate cottage which was the bathroom (with a 'donkey' that had to be lit for hot water), another stone building which housed the quaintest kitchen, and then the old kraal which had been turned into a pub, come games room, with a pool table. Trouble was is was so dam cold that we couldn't wait to build a fire and jump into bed, so no playing in the games room for us! The pipes were frozen the next morning, but the stunning scenery that abounds, made up for the lack of warm water. At least we could boil an electric kettle and have a cup of 'Moer' coffee. The boys loved exploring the next morning and found a dead buck, proof of the wildlife in the area. What a pity we were only staying for one night.
Our first was a unique little hide away in the middle of no where, a 200 year old stone 'Kraal', we found in a place just outside Rouville in the Eastern Cape called Iniklofie Lodge. Our accommodation consisted of a little stone cottage to sleep in, a separate cottage which was the bathroom (with a 'donkey' that had to be lit for hot water), another stone building which housed the quaintest kitchen, and then the old kraal which had been turned into a pub, come games room, with a pool table. Trouble was is was so dam cold that we couldn't wait to build a fire and jump into bed, so no playing in the games room for us! The pipes were frozen the next morning, but the stunning scenery that abounds, made up for the lack of warm water. At least we could boil an electric kettle and have a cup of 'Moer' coffee. The boys loved exploring the next morning and found a dead buck, proof of the wildlife in the area. What a pity we were only staying for one night.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Hansel & Gretel at Anja's Tea Garden in Lynnwood Road, Pretoria East
Oh what a delight to find this little 'Hansel & Gretel' Tea Garden, Anja's, so unexpected in Lynnwood Road, Pretoria. One of my dear friends, Liza, had told me about it ages ago before she moved down to Hilton in the Midlands and said it was a place she knew i'd love. Well today it was freezing in Pretoria, as snow has fallen some where in the Cape, so we snuggled up in the attic at Anja's little stone cottate, with hot chocolate all round, and deliberated over Beetroot Cake, Baked Lemon Cheesecake and Devils Chocolate Cake, all worth getting fat for!
I can imagine this must be an absolute delight in the summer as the garden looks so inviting, set in the gardens of Willows Country Lodge, which is built on one of the rocky ridges of Pretoria. We wandered through and took a peep at the owners private abode, a stunning, almost Georgian style, stone house which looks like something out of a French decor book. Further along is a huge barn style venue, obviously for weddings, functions and such like.
Anja's has been open for just on a year and is one of those places you just want to keep as your own 'little secret'. High Tea can be arranged for special occasions, or just pop along for a bowl of soup and home made bread. Fathers Day Anja has put together a special menu. Be there!
I can imagine this must be an absolute delight in the summer as the garden looks so inviting, set in the gardens of Willows Country Lodge, which is built on one of the rocky ridges of Pretoria. We wandered through and took a peep at the owners private abode, a stunning, almost Georgian style, stone house which looks like something out of a French decor book. Further along is a huge barn style venue, obviously for weddings, functions and such like.
Anja's has been open for just on a year and is one of those places you just want to keep as your own 'little secret'. High Tea can be arranged for special occasions, or just pop along for a bowl of soup and home made bread. Fathers Day Anja has put together a special menu. Be there!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Family time at the Dragon Tree Challenge
What fun I had at the Dragon Tree Challenge with my family at their school, Kings, on Saturday. It was so tempting to open the shop as so many people were around. What with the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, and other events happening in and around Nottingham Road, but instead I ran a little stall at the festival (and sold a couple of items) and was able to do some real bonding with our three children, my hubby and our friends.
We are ardent fans of Survival on TV, so this was our chance to partake in something similar. First the entire family had to get across a dam on a raft which proved more difficult than it looked and before I knew it i'd crashed right into the water, and the freezing temperatures took my breath away. All in good fun though, as we ran off to continue with the many tasks ahead which included crawling through mud, finding marbles with your toes in a bucket of ice and eating chicken heads! Cooked ones luckily, but very yukky all the same. Apparently our African counterparts love chicken heads and feet which over here are referred to as 'walkie talkies'! I'll stick to Kentucky, thank you.
This week some gorgeous pieces of furniture were delivered to the shop and it is looking lovely. I now have my very own version of a French Chateau, at least until the furniture is sold. I fell down the stone steps just as the furniture was being carried down, so today I had an excuse to put my feet up, have lunch with friends and make it to the school, just in time to see my youngest with ball in hand.dogging every opponent on the rugby field. Now that's what memories are made of ......
We are ardent fans of Survival on TV, so this was our chance to partake in something similar. First the entire family had to get across a dam on a raft which proved more difficult than it looked and before I knew it i'd crashed right into the water, and the freezing temperatures took my breath away. All in good fun though, as we ran off to continue with the many tasks ahead which included crawling through mud, finding marbles with your toes in a bucket of ice and eating chicken heads! Cooked ones luckily, but very yukky all the same. Apparently our African counterparts love chicken heads and feet which over here are referred to as 'walkie talkies'! I'll stick to Kentucky, thank you.
This week some gorgeous pieces of furniture were delivered to the shop and it is looking lovely. I now have my very own version of a French Chateau, at least until the furniture is sold. I fell down the stone steps just as the furniture was being carried down, so today I had an excuse to put my feet up, have lunch with friends and make it to the school, just in time to see my youngest with ball in hand.dogging every opponent on the rugby field. Now that's what memories are made of ......
Friday, May 28, 2010
Moonlight
Driving home last night the moon was so bright it could have been mistaken for the sun peeping through the clouds. It was so beautiful. Later I looked outside and saw the moon directly above my head, like a great big torch beaming down on me. This morning it was no where to be seen. The earth had turned, and I hadn't felt a thing!
The weather has taken a turn this evening and if feels like snow is on its way. We've had a big roaring fire going to keep the chill at bay. This weekend we have the festival at our local school, Kings, so i'm praying the weather is going to warm up. I'm sure many runners who are participating in Comrades on Sunday are feeling the same way. So to all those runners, keep your head down and don't pick it up again until you see the finish line .... good luck!
The weather has taken a turn this evening and if feels like snow is on its way. We've had a big roaring fire going to keep the chill at bay. This weekend we have the festival at our local school, Kings, so i'm praying the weather is going to warm up. I'm sure many runners who are participating in Comrades on Sunday are feeling the same way. So to all those runners, keep your head down and don't pick it up again until you see the finish line .... good luck!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Dragontree Challenge & Festival at Kings School, Nottingham Road
If anyone is in Nottingham Road this weekend remember the Dragontree Challenge & Festival at Kings School, just off the Loteni Road. It is sure to be loads of fun. I am closing my shop for the day and exhibiting some of my items for sale at the festival. I am looking forward to being in the sun, because my shop is like a fridge in Winter.
Tomorrow is the last of my 2 day stock clearance sale, where all furniture is less 40% to make way for new stock. I have some stunning items on the way. My favourite is a 19thC French Oak Parlour suite, as well as two matching 19thC Flemish Oak Court Cupboards. I'm still trying to decide if the cupboards should go home with me!
See you at the Dragontree Challenge. I'll be the one sinking on the raft at the dam....
Tomorrow is the last of my 2 day stock clearance sale, where all furniture is less 40% to make way for new stock. I have some stunning items on the way. My favourite is a 19thC French Oak Parlour suite, as well as two matching 19thC Flemish Oak Court Cupboards. I'm still trying to decide if the cupboards should go home with me!
See you at the Dragontree Challenge. I'll be the one sinking on the raft at the dam....
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I'm back! At least I think I am . . . .
I've not written since 16th April so I have a bit of explaining to do. I was away in the States for just over two weeks in San Fransisco, New York and Atlanta and I loved it! My favourite shop was Anthropology, by far, and gave me loads of ideas for improving my own shop. I was happy to see Mick Haige & Mud ceramics in this delectable shop, flying the flag for South Africa. Why can't we have Central Park, the New York Met and Starbucks just down the road from where I live, then I could have the best of both worlds!
I was sent this link today which made me think about our own down shifting choices. Have a look, as its well worth a read.
http://www.moneyweb.com/mw/view/mw/en/page295022?oid=310410&sn=2009+Detail&pid=287226
The Midlands looks stunning in its new autumnal and brown outfit and the weather, though cold in the morning and last thing at night, is at its best.This weekend I went on a pilgrimage to a little place called Ngome in Natal and I was given time to reflect on all the things that are important to me. I got to wondering why it is that humans generally take whatever they have for granted, including me, who would rather lay in bed with a coffee instead of an early morning walk with the dogs. Well guess what? I now get up an hour earlier and I think soon the dogs are going to be so used to their early morning walk, that they'll be scratching at my door and waking me up! I have to say though, watching the sun rise in the morning in this beautiful nature reserve takes some beating!
I was sent this link today which made me think about our own down shifting choices. Have a look, as its well worth a read.
http://www.moneyweb.com/mw/view/mw/en/page295022?oid=310410&sn=2009+Detail&pid=287226
The Midlands looks stunning in its new autumnal and brown outfit and the weather, though cold in the morning and last thing at night, is at its best.This weekend I went on a pilgrimage to a little place called Ngome in Natal and I was given time to reflect on all the things that are important to me. I got to wondering why it is that humans generally take whatever they have for granted, including me, who would rather lay in bed with a coffee instead of an early morning walk with the dogs. Well guess what? I now get up an hour earlier and I think soon the dogs are going to be so used to their early morning walk, that they'll be scratching at my door and waking me up! I have to say though, watching the sun rise in the morning in this beautiful nature reserve takes some beating!
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